:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60511961/134011377.0.0.jpg)
Brothers and Sisters,
We meet here today to celebrate an event that has been taken from us too soon. We have been deprived of one of the greatest joys in life - the start of the pre-season.
The first game signifies the beginning of a new year, a clean slate. Every team is even as they try to find the right combination of players to present when the games actually count. Without this game, we are forced to remember the nightmare that was the 2011-12 season; instead of pushing it out of our minds as hope springs anew.
Tonight the Ducks would have been facing (still in) Phoenix. They managed to re-sign Shane Doan after there were rumblings he was taking his talents to [insert team]. I believe they're getting a new arena, but that seems to change every day. Our frenemies at Five For Howling have all the details.
I hope I don't have to do this again in October; however, it doesn't look good. The October pre-season games are on life-support. Bettman and the owners have no problem pulling the plug on those, too. It must be nice to be able to shut your doors to your revenue stream and still have millions of dollars to live on.
At 7:00 p.m. PT, put on 'Bro Hymn'' and pour a lil' out fo' the homies. That's as close as you're going to get to spilling a beer on yourself after an exciting goal for a long time.